Fox primary: complicated, contractual

With Sarah Palin, Newt Gingrich, Rick Santorum and Mike Huckabee all making moves indicating they may run for president, their common employer is facing a question that hasn’t been asked before: How does a news organization cover White House hopefuls when so many are on the payroll?

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VIDEO: Fox candidates on 2012

POLITICO 44

As Fox’s popularity grows among conservatives, the presence of four potentially serious Republican candidates as paid contributors is beginning to frustrate competitors of the network, figures within its own news division and rivals of what some GOP insiders have begun calling “the Fox candidates.”

The matter is of no small consequence, since it’s uncertain how other news organizations can cover the early stages of the presidential race when some of the main GOP contenders are contractually forbidden to appear on any TV network besides Fox. (See: Poll shows rocky road ahead for Obama)

C-SPAN Political Editor Steve Scully said that when C-SPAN tried to have Palin on for an interview, he was told he had to first get Fox’s permission — which the network, citing her contract, ultimately denied. Producers at NBC, ABC, CBS, CNN and MSNBC all report similar experiences.

At issue are basic matters of political and journalistic fairness and propriety. With Fox effectively becoming the flagship network of the right and, more specifically, the tea party movement, the four Republicans it employs enjoy an unparalleled platform from which to speak directly to primary voters who will determine the party’s next nominee.

Their Fox jobs allow these politicians an opportunity to send conservative activists a mostly unfiltered message in what is almost always a friendly environment. Fox opinion hosts typically invite the Republicans simply to offer their views on issues of the day, rather than press them to defend their rhetoric or records as leaders of the party. (See: Bill O'Reilly popular, Rachel Maddow unknown)

Fox, in an e-mail to POLITICO, indicated that once any of the candidates declares for the presidency he or she will have to sever the deal with the network.

But it’s such a lucrative and powerful pulpit that Palin, Gingrich, Santorum and Huckabee have every reason to delay formal announcements and stay on contract for as long as they can.

That fact alone has sparked buzz in political and media circles, particularly as it applies to Palin, a major ratings draw. Can she remain on Fox’s payroll if, while not formally a declared candidate, she’s visiting early primary states and assembling a presidential campaign in 2011? Or will Fox at least relax its exclusivity provision to let the candidate appear on other cable or broadcast networks? (See: Gaga, Colbert get political)

Fox said it doesn’t relax exclusivity provisions.

“All contributors are exclusive to Fox News. On occasion, they will make appearances on other networks — when they have books to promote — and in those cases their contributor agreements are suspended during that period. Fox News has made rare exceptions for various contributors in terms of appearances on other networks, but instances are few and far between,” Fox News said in a statement.

All of the four potential candidates either declined comment or did not respond to inquiries on whether they will adhere to their Fox contracts if they explore a presidential run.

Readers' Comments (799)

As opposed to CNN's staff which is filled with hopeful political leeches, that is, former campaign managers looking for a job and who pitch whatever or whomever it is that will bring them big ticket jobs (again). Donna Brazile, Paul Begala, James Carville, Alex Castellanos, etc., etc., etc.

At least on Fox one can listen to actual potential candidates and find out who they are and what they think. That's a lot more substantial than a teleprompter speech as a basis for a vote.

It's no secret that the Australian Rupert Murdoch sets the agenda for the GOP. Why is this news? Australia is a good country, why shouldn't America be more like Australia. After Bush wrecked the country, Murdoch's homeland is an improvement.

By the way, Palin is not going to run for President. The Rupe said she would get shredded by the other candidates on Fox's payroll, and that would hurt her ratings.

How do they cover them? With the same bias, right wing lies, that they use in all their news coverage. And don't respond to me saying anything about name calling. I'm not an Obama fan but he is still President of the United States and Fox News is a disgrace for the disrespect they show the President of our country. Their reports are like a bunch of school yard bullies. Letting go with name calling and innuendos in reporting the news. They are not alone there are shows on the other networks that do the same thing from the other side of the aisle. The difference is it is a particular person show. If Hannity wants to let loose on the Democrats that is the format of his show if you don't like it turn it off. But in reporting facts about a particular issue NEWS COVERAGE SHOULD STAY NEUTRAL AND REPORT THE NEWS and not creating news with a spin. Show some respect for your own children. If they acted like this in school most common sensed people would be ashamed.

As opposed to CNN's staff which is filled with hopeful political leeches, that is, former campaign managers looking for a job and who pitch whatever or whomever it is that will bring them big ticket jobs (again). Donna Brazile, Paul Begala, James Carville, Alex Castellanos, etc., etc., etc.

At least on Fox one can listen to actual potential candidates and find out who they are and what they think. That's a lot more substantial than a teleprompter speech as a basis for a vote.

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None of the folks you named above are running for any political office.

On FOX news, there are maybe one dozen people who ARE running for POTUS that have daily/weekly PAID appearances on Fox.

Well, Fox has been covering the news a whole lot more accurately than the lamestream news media has been covering the socialist party while simultaneously acting as their propaganda wing.

Some examples are in order:

* Fox was the ONLY network to cover Obama's marxist background and the anti-white, anti-American views of his pastor of twenty years.

* The same lamestream news media that could quickly go all the way back into the high school comments of the lady running for the House in Delaware could not find Obama's close association with American terrorists in his recent past.

* The same lamestream news media that gleefully reported every percentage drop in Bush's popularity rating has not noticed Obama's popularity dropping like a rock.

Spitzer, the disgraced former Democratic governor of New York who was forced to resign after it was found out that he was using taxpayer money to pay for his high-priced hooker services, now has his own show on CNN. Will we be seeing a story about how fairly he will be covering the news? Don't hold your breath.

Well, Fox has been covering the news a whole lot more accurately than the lamestream news media has been covering the socialist party while simultaneously acting as their propaganda wing.

Some examples are in order:

* Fox was the ONLY network to cover Obama's marxist background and the anti-white, anti-American views of his pastor of twenty years.

* The same lamestream news media that could quickly go all the way back into the high school comments of the lady running for the House in Delaware could not find Obama's close association with American terrorists in his recent past.

* The same lamestream news media that gleefully reported every percentage drop in Bush's popularity rating has not noticed Obama's popularity dropping like a rock.

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LIES LIES LIES!

You are not honest about Fox News and boy, does it show!

Obama has ZERO Marxist background.

Obama has zero Anti American pastors.

News media everywhere has been documenting Obama's fall in the polls from 50% approval to 45% approval!

But you LIE LIE LIE, just like a standard DUMB AS A ROCK FOX NEWS FANATIC!

At least on Fox one can listen to actual potential candidates and find out who they are and what they think. That's a lot more substantial than a teleprompter speech as a basis for a vote.

No you can't. That's just it. No one is asking tough questions. It's a bunch of slow balls- free air time. You have no idea what they think. All you know is what they want you to think. There's a huge difference.

You all are being conned. It's the beginning of state run media and you don't even realize it. There is no balance. They should all go on all the networks unless they are afraid of something.

Show some respect for your own children. If they acted like this in school most common sensed people would be ashamed.

That's the truth!!! The thing is they are raising a bunch of children who show utter disrespect for people b/c that's what they see at home. Kids learn through others' actions. It's disgraceful and truly sad for our country. These people are so blinded by their own egos that they actually believe they are "owed" the voice of disrespect and Fox News.

Candidates from Fox News should be barred from running. You either keep your contract and earn your big $$$ or you go into public service and run for President.

Spitzer, the disgraced former Democratic governor of New York who was forced to resign after it was found out that he was using taxpayer money to pay for his high-priced hooker services, now has his own show on CNN. Will we be seeing a story about how fairly he will be covering the news? Don't hold your breath.

Sarah Palin, who should be in a "disgraced" position for abandoning her position as Governor of the state of Alaska to pursue her money making ventures and political ambitions greater than her state is a paid Fox contributor. She's talking about running for President. She's every bit as disgusting morally as Spitzer. You just won't see that b/c you're in love w/ her words and fake standing.

She abandoned office for money. Her entire family is chasing $$$. She's morally bankrupt w/ no integrity to speak of.

I would never dream of following a candidate who did this. I don't care what party they belong to. If she abandons all the people of a state over money, she cannot be trusted. But you trust her b/c she's on Fox News and you trust Fox News b/c? All I can think of is that you only want to hear what you believe. It's much easier to hear people say things that already align w/ our belief system than have that system tested, isn't it?

Obama has had no Antiamerica pastor "Mar 13, 2008! No, no, no, God damn America, that's in the Bible for killing innocent people," he said in a 2003 sermon". Perhaps that is a liberals way of saying a blessing

Faux is not a news organization. It's a republican propaganda tool. Any professional reporter knows that news is news--is it not supposed to be skewed and biased. Fox is nothing but entertainment, opinon shows. It's no wonder the fox-fans are so uninformed. They only want to watch "news" that tells them what they want to hear. Reality means nothing to them. Sad, really.

Obama has had no Antiamerica pastor "Mar 13, 2008! No, no, no, God damn America, that's in the Bible for killing innocent people," he said in a 2003 sermon". Perhaps that is a liberals way of saying a blessing

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SO WHAT?

The statement you cut/copy/pasted here doesn't show any Anti American sentiments.

If you REALLY wanna get upset over comments from an American Negro pastor, read page 60 in THE AUTOBIOGRAHY of Martin Luther King Jr.

If you have the testicles to read that page (and we all know you have zero testicles anymore) you will forget anything Rev Wright said and see how militant MLK Jr really was in the 1950's!